Working Group
– Special Interest Group(SIG)
The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) considers sarcopenic obesity as a distinct clinical entity, diverging from the generic view of it being merely a combination of sarcopenia and obesity. This paradigm shift stems from emerging evidence of the obesity paradox in older adults and the unique pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this condition.
The complex interplay between adipose tissue accumulation and muscle dysfunction extends beyond simple coexistence, involving sophisticated molecular crosstalk and inflammatory cascades. Intramuscular adipose tissue infiltration in the aging process may represent a critical pathophysiological mechanism that distinguishes sarcopenic obesity from its component conditions. This process involves complex metabolic dysregulation, altered muscle protein synthesis, and compromised satellite cell function.
The intersection of metabolic dysregulation and altered body composition in the aging process provides a framework for understanding how adipose-muscle interactions contribute to functional decline.
The AWGS emphasizes that sarcopenic obesity’s distinct pathophysiology necessitates targeted research approaches and specific therapeutic strategies. The condition’s unique characteristics, including altered adipokine profiles, chronic low-grade inflammation, and disrupted muscle-fat crosstalk, underscore the importance of considering it as an independent entity rather than simply the sum of its parts.
This conceptual framework has significant implications for both research methodology and clinical intervention strategies in aging populations.
The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) is launching a special interest group on Muscle Health Awareness and Management to enhance recognition, prevention, and treatment strategies for sarcopenia across Asia. This initiative aims to bridge existing gaps in sarcopenia management by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals, promoting standardized screening and diagnosis, and advocating for early interventions to maintain muscle health in aging populations.
The decision to establish this special interest group (SIG) is supported by recent AWGS survey findings, which revealed that while awareness of sarcopenia is high among healthcare professionals (99.3%), significant disparities exist in its clinical management. The survey highlighted that geriatricians are more actively engaged in screening (64.3% vs. 34.1%), diagnosing (76.7% vs. 44.8%), and treating (82.7% vs. 54.4%) sarcopenia compared to non-geriatricians.
To address these discrepancies, the special interest group aims to develop strategies focused on educational programs, clinical guidelines, and policy recommendations to empower all healthcare providers—including allied health professionals—to integrate muscle health promotion into routine care.
Through a multidisciplinary approach, AWGS will drive forward a regional movement toward proactive muscle health promotion, ultimately improving quality of life for older adults across Asia.